Extended Security Archives

Winsage

August 27, 2026

The Windows 10 deadline most ISVs haven’t planned for yet

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB will reach their end of support on October 13, 2026, after which they will no longer receive security updates. These operating systems are designed for fixed-function devices like kiosks and point-of-sale terminals, which are often not actively managed, posing risks if the end-of-support date is overlooked. Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program as a temporary solution, with escalating costs over three years, but it is not intended as a long-term fix. Customers must decide whether to continue paying for ESU, upgrade to newer hardware, or transition away from Windows.

Winsage

August 22, 2026

Microsoft’s Windows 10 cutoff could push 400 million working PCs toward e-waste heap

Microsoft will end standard support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, affecting an estimated 400 million PCs that may not meet the new eligibility criteria for Windows 11, which include TPM 2.0, UEFI Secure Boot, and modern processors. This could lead to a potential increase of 1.6 billion pounds of electronic waste if these devices are discarded. Users may need to invest in new hardware or alternative operating systems, despite their current machines still functioning adequately. Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates program until October 12, 2027, and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC, which will be supported until January 2032. Users can also consider transitioning to Linux or ChromeOS Flex for older computers.

Winsage

August 19, 2026

Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro reach end of support in 2 months

As of October 13, 2026, updates for Windows 11 Home and Pro editions, version 24H2, and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 will end. The Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 11 24H2 will continue to receive support until October 2027. Customers are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2, which became available in September 2024. Devices running Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions will automatically upgrade to Windows 11 25H2, with users able to choose when to restart the update. Microsoft has stopped security updates for Windows 11 23H2 Home and Pro editions as of November 2025. The free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program for consumers has been extended until October 2027. Windows Server 2022 will enter extended support in October 2026, continuing to receive security updates until October 14, 2031.

Winsage

August 17, 2026

Windows Server 2022 reaches end of mainstream support in 60 days

Microsoft has announced that the mainstream end date for Windows Server 2022 is set for October 13, 2026, after which it will enter extended support until October 14, 2031. Windows Server 2022 became generally available in September 2021 and is part of the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) offering, which guarantees a decade of support. Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows Server 2025, which will be generally available in November 2024, and will reach its end of support on November 13, 2029, with five years of extended support until November 14, 2034. A free 180-day trial of Windows Server 2025 is available. Additionally, hotpatching for Windows Server 2022 will be extended until October 2027 for Datacenter: Azure Edition systems. The free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program has been extended by an additional year, and Windows 11 23H2 Enterprise and Education editions will end updates on November 10, 2026, with a recommendation to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2.

Winsage

August 15, 2026

What Are The Minimum Requirements For Windows 11?

Windows 11 requires a compatible 64-bit processor with a minimum speed of 1 GHz and at least two cores, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of available storage. The system must use UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability, support Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, and have graphics hardware compatible with DirectX 12 or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver. A high-definition display with a resolution of at least 720p, measuring more than 9 inches diagonally, and supporting 8 bits per color channel is also necessary. Microsoft provides the PC Health Check app to assess compatibility with Windows 11. If a PC cannot upgrade, users can enroll in the Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 version 22H2, which extends security updates until October 12, 2027, without introducing new features. Enrollment options include syncing settings for free, redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or paying a fee, with a license applicable to up to 10 devices.

Winsage

August 15, 2026

What Are The Minimum Requirements For Windows 11?

In 2026, Microsoft Windows 11 requires specific hardware criteria for installation, including a 64-bit processor (1 GHz or faster with at least two cores), a minimum of 4GB of RAM, at least 64GB of available storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, TPM version 2.0 support, and graphics hardware that supports DirectX 12 or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver. A high-definition display with a resolution of at least 720p and a diagonal measurement exceeding 9 inches is also necessary. Compatibility can be checked using the PC Health Check app, which may take up to 24 hours to reflect recent hardware upgrades. For Windows 10 users unable to upgrade, the Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program provides security updates until October 12, 2027, without new features. Enrollment options include syncing settings for free, using Microsoft Rewards points, or paying a fee, with each license applicable to up to 10 devices.

Winsage

August 15, 2026

Windows 11 24H2, Windows Server 2022, Windows 10 Ent. LTSB 2016 get 60-day cut off warnings

Microsoft has issued a 60-day notice regarding the end-of-life dates for several products, following a previous 90-day warning. Mainstream support for Windows Server 2022 will end on October 13, 2026, affecting all editions. Users of Windows 11 version 24H2 Home and Pro, as well as Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016, will stop receiving updates. Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows Server 2025, with an extended support phase lasting until October 14, 2031, for those unable to upgrade immediately. Windows 11 version 24H2 users must upgrade to version 25H2 to continue receiving updates, while Enterprise and Education variants will have a grace period until October 2027. Organizations using Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 should transition to Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024, with Extended Security Updates available for purchase for those who remain on the older system. A 180-day evaluation build of Windows Server 2025 can be downloaded for compatibility testing.

Winsage

August 13, 2026

Windows 10’s latest patch keeps your Secure Boot certificates on track

A recent update has been released, addressing security vulnerabilities and improving system functionality. Key improvements include a fix for the Backup feature, resolving an "invalid credentials" error that caused automatic backups to fail when using Server Message Block (SMB). The update also enhances the Secure Boot feature by introducing high-confidence device targeting data, allowing more devices to receive new Secure Boot certificates. This update addresses outdated Secure Boot certificates for Windows 11 and Windows 10 users. The update, identified as KB5120249, is under 1 GB and is available only to PCs enrolled in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which ensures Windows 10 PCs receive security updates until at least October 2027. Non-enrolled PCs lost security update support in October 2025.

Winsage

August 13, 2026

Windows 10 users are getting locked out of new Microsoft 365 features in a bid to push for Windows 11

Microsoft will stop providing new features for Microsoft 365 to users on Windows 10 once stable version 2608 is released. After that, Windows 10 users will only receive security updates until October 10, 2028, which is the end of extended security support for Windows 10. Devices on Windows 10 will remain on version 2608 and will not receive new features, except for the OneDrive desktop app, which will continue to receive updates until October 2028 for users on Windows 10 version 22H2. The current stable version of Microsoft 365 is 2607, and version 2608 is in the release preview channel.

Winsage

August 13, 2026

Microsoft’s August update fixes a Windows flaw that’s already being attacked

The upcoming Patch Tuesday is scheduled for September 8th, 2026, during which Microsoft will address over 200 vulnerabilities across Windows platforms, including Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server. Windows 10 users in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program will receive updates until October 2027. Among the vulnerabilities, CVE-2026-68820 allows attackers to gain elevated privileges through the Windows auxiliary function driver for Winsock. Microsoft has identified 18 vulnerabilities as critical, including CVE-2026-62878, an RCE vulnerability in the Windows DNS server that can lead to a buffer overflow and code execution without user interaction. Another critical issue is CVE-2026-62893, a UAF vulnerability in the TFTP server of Windows Deployment Services, which allows code injection through UDP port 69. Additionally, CVE-2026-62815, an RCE vulnerability in Quick UDP Internet Connections (QUIC), permits code execution without user interaction, while CVE-2026-59124, although high risk, is not classified as critical due to the HPC Pack not being enabled by default.